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MCC Daily Tribune

World Suicide Prevention Day: Highlighting Resources & Safety Tips

Tomorrow, Saturday, September 10th, is World Suicide Prevention day for 2022, and we would like to highlight some important safety tips and resources in advance of this important awareness day.

We often hear a myth that talking about suicide will lead to or encourage suicide in someone who is struggling with unsafe thoughts, however, this could not be further from the truth. As a community, we should not be afraid to speak up and ask if someone is feeling suicidal, and to help connect that individual with needed help. We hope that the below tips will serve as a guide to help you add more tools to your safety planning toolbox.

If someone is thinking about suicide, here are some action steps to take to encourage safety (adapted from the Suicide Prevention Center of New York State):

  • Ask the person to make a promise to you not to do anything to harm themself right now. Remind them that suicidal thoughts come and go and ask them to contract for safety with you in the short-term.
  • Keep in mind that substances such as alcohol and other drugs can cause individuals to feel even more emotionally dysregulated.
  • Make the home environment safe by removing anything that could be used to harm self.
  • Stay hopeful and be encouraging; people do get through this!
  • If someone has disclosed unsafe thoughts to you, thank the person for reaching out and trusting you to help. It takes strength and self-awareness to disclose having suicidal thoughts.
  • Help the individual contact their primary or mental health care provider to make an appointment for as soon as possible.
  • Remind the person of emergency services provider contacts, including the option to call 911 or visit their local psychiatric emergency department, if needed.

Emergency Supports & Resources:

A mental health emergency is a situation where there is imminent risk of danger to self or others. If you or someone else is experiencing an emergency, please immediately contact one of the resources below, which are available 24 hours a day.

  • On-campus – MCC Public Safety (585) 292-2911
  • Off-campus – Dial 911
  • 211 / Lifeline – Dial 211 for resources in Monroe, Wayne, Cayuga, Ontario, Livingston, and Seneca counties
  • Monroe County Mobile Crisis Team – (585) 529-3721
  • Local hospital emergency department
  • 988 (formerly National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) – Call or text 988, or chat 988lifeline.org
  • Crisis Text Line – Text “HOME” to 741741
  • Please refer to Monroe County website for additional mental health and substance use resource information.

MCC Counseling Center staff will be conducting counseling appointments throughout the month of September and beyond. Our goal is to provide solution focused, brief intervention in support of positive coping and problem solving during what may be a difficult and uncertain time as students return and/or acclimate to campus. Whether students are new to the office or they have worked with us in the past, we encourage them to reach out if they are in need of additional support.

We wish you all the best as you take on this new semester!

Warmly,

MCC Counseling Center & Disability Services Team

Morgan Kennell
Counseling Center & Disability Services
09/09/2022